Being in college isn't like being in high school. Sure, in both cases, you're taking classes. You're studying hard and learning new things. You've got papers to write, tests to take, and teachers to please. And in both cases, you're working towards the goal of graduation. When you were in high school, though, you probably had parents who made sure you got up in the mornings. Your dad made sure you did your homework every night. Your mom did your laundry. Now, those things are on you.
Can you handle your new responsibilities? Can you balance new-found freedom and independence with academic discipline and rigor? Of course, you can. But any time you move forward into a new phase of your life, you have to expect there to be some bumps along the way. There will be some classes, some whole semesters, where things just seem to go wrong. What do you do when they do?
Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team want you to know that they're on your side and ready to help when things get tough. How is a lawyer supposed to help you with academics? That'll become clear as you go. For now, though, just know that they are committed to your success. They know how Western Governors University works; they know who to talk to when you're in trouble and what to say; and they're ready to put what they know to work in service of your success.
Western Governors University Progression Requirements
WGU doesn't work like other universities. That may be one reason why you chose to attend. You don't have to earn any particular grades to make it to graduation. You don't have to worry about maintaining some minimum grade point standard to keep progressing in the program. The Competency-based Education model allows you the freedom to learn at your own pace, set your own goals, and meet them in your own time frame.
That doesn't mean, though, that you won't run into trouble along the way. Just because grades aren't a factor doesn't mean you won't come across some instructors who try and make life difficult for you. Instructors like that can slow down your progress and cost you time and money.
Should you find yourself slowing down or bogged down in trying to impress an instructor who's making unfair demands, Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team can help. Should you confront the instructor, or would you be better off visiting with that instructor's department head or a university administrator? What should you say in making your case? What kind of evidence can help you make that case? Joseph D. Lento and his team are here to answer all of these questions. They can work with you to file paperwork, draft appeals, and collect evidence. They can even coach you in the art of negotiation.
A lawyer's job is to deal with the often-maddening task of navigating bureaucracy. Joseph D. Lento and his team focus specifically on education bureaucracy. They know your school, and they know how to make sure nothing gets in the way of earning your degree.
SAP Standards
You may not have to worry about grades and grade points at Western Governors University, but if you receive financial aid to attend the university, there are some academic markers that will matter to you. You can learn at your own pace and in a way that fits in with your life and schedule, but there are some limits to this flexibility.
The federal government requires all schools to develop what's known as a Satisfactory Academic Progress, or SAP, policy. Such policies set requirements for continuing to receive financial aid. They're in place to ensure that no one is allowed to game the system by taking money from the government and then never attending classes.
Since all classes are pass/fail, WGU's SAP policy is tied to completion percentages. There are basically two criteria you must meet in order to continue to receive financial aid.
- You must complete at least two-thirds of the courses you attempt. Completion, of course, means meeting all course requirements and earning a passing grade.
- You must complete your degree within 150 percent of the published credits required for that degree. If, for example, your program requires 120 credits, you lose aid at the point when you have taken more than 180 credits in total.
You should also know that WGU is quite strict in the implementation of this policy. Should your completion percentage fall between 50 percent and 67 percent at the end of a semester, you are placed on Warning status for the following semester. If you do not meet that 67 percent by the end of your Warning semester, you lose your financial aid permanently. In addition, you can lose your aid should your completion percentage fall below 50 percent, even if you haven't been issued a warning.
Appealing SAP Decisions
Western Governors University does offer a process for appealing aid decisions. Appeals are based on extenuating circumstances. That is, if your deficiencies are the result of a situation beyond your control—a long-term illness, for instance, or a family emergency—you may be eligible to continue receiving aid for an additional Probationary semester. However, should you continue to struggle to meet SAP requirements, the school then withdraws your funding again.
Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are experienced at filing SAP appeals. They know what kinds of circumstances qualify for probation. They're skilled at gathering evidence and documentation. They know what appeals committees are looking for and how to make you look your best on paper.
It's important that you keep in mind, though, that these appeals are time-sensitive. While you are going through the process, for instance, you are responsible for paying all of your tuition out-of-pocket. And, should you wait too long, the school simply won't hear your appeal. Don't wait, then. At the first sign of trouble, you need to contact Joseph D. Lento and his team to find out what they can do for you.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor
When you enroll in college, you hope that things will go smoothly from start to finish. Unfortunately, life happens to all of us, though. When it does, you may find yourself having to take on your school in order to keep your dreams intact. Don't try to do that alone.
Joseph D. Lento has represented hundreds of students just like you in academic progress cases. He knows the procedures, and he can offer suggestions for how to use them to your advantage. If you or your child is facing dismissal, or even if you have already been dismissed, you owe it to yourself to learn about what options might be available to you. To find out more, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
